Michael Sorkin outlines the current state of urban life worldwide, arguing that even as the globe becomes urbanized, the city as a sustainable, equitable and beautiful site of social possibilities is in danger of disappearing. He insists that the master plan remains a necessary tool for designers.

Tom Wiscombe discusses architectural effects created by unifying building systems, as demonstrated in projects such as Thermo-Strut, Lizard Panel Facade, Tracery Glass, Batwing, and the Flower Street BioReactor, which produces bio-fuel by photosynthesis.

Paolo Cascone of COdesignLab talks about using environmental variables as drivers for the design process. He discusses several projects including “Urban Ecologies: towards a performative urbanism,” and two office buildings designed through “performative testing.” He discusses his research on African vernacular construction methods, and how they can inform a new architectural paradigm incorporating high-tech design with low-tech construction methods.